Former Rep. John Boccieri, a Democrat from north-central Ohio, will attempt to return to Congress in 2014.

Boccieri filed paperwork to challenge Republican Rep. Bob Gibbs in the 7th District. But he told the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Monday that he might also seek Rep. Tim Ryan's seat if the Democrat retires to run for governor.

Buckeye State Democrats view Boccieri as a strong candidate who could give Gibbs a competitive race in the GOP-leaning 7th District. Meanwhile, Ryan has not ruled out leaving his solidly Democratic seat to run for governor.

Boccieri served in the House for a single term following the 2008 elections, before GOP Rep. James B. Renacci defeated him. In 2012, Republicans redrew Ohio's congressional boundaries, dividing Boccieri's former terrain among a few new House districts.